Brad Haddin rubbished reports that the ICC was investigating their ICC Cricket World Cup match against Zimbabwe for slow batting.
Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has dismissed suggestions he and fellow opener Shane Watson were being investigated by the International Cricket Council over allegations of spot-fixing at the ICC Cricket World Cup.Team manager Steve Bernard also rubbished the claims against both players following the win against Zimbabwe, describing the suggestion as "ludicrous".
Watson and Haddin scored just five runs in the first two overs of the Group A game in Ahmedabad on February 21, with Australia going on to post 262 for six en route to a 91-run victory.
"It's quite a laughable story. It's a joke," Haddin told reporters after the team's net session at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club.
"It's not a case (of spot-fixing). We just got off the mark a bit slowly."
The ICC have declined to comment on the matter but the Press Trust of India claimed the organisation's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit had taken an interest in Australia's slow start.
Bernard said the allegations were "the silliest thing I've heard this week - and I've heard a lot of silly things since I've been here".
He added: "I've just heard the story a moment ago and I'm not sure how to respond, except to say it would make a cat laugh. It's the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard in my life that a side can be five for nought after two overs and that that's suspicious.
"At the start of any campaign, on a fresh track that the guys weren't used to, it took a bit of time [to adjust] but 260-odd was a pretty good score."
